Browse Items (325 total)

  • Spatial Coverage is exactly "England--Kent"

PYoungJ1728.jpg
After John volunteered for the Royal Air Force, he reported to St John’s Wood before being posted to Newquay in April 1943. He was sent to RAF Eastchurch, on the Isle of Sheppey, and spent a short time in Lincolnshire. He chose to be a flight…

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NWrightJ150410-01.jpg
Three months before he went missing Sergeant J A Clough wrote his parents a letter expressing no having regrets dying for his country. Annotated '8/12/42 149sqn'.

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ABirchM150811.mp3
This interview was carried out when Dr Birch was 91 years old and she describes her experiences of the German bombing raids and her medical training in London.
Dr Birch was born near London in 1924. Her father had served in the Royal Flying Corps…

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PFellowesD1501.jpg
From Number One Air Gunnery School at RAF Pembry, Dave was posted to Number 30 Operational Training Unit at RAF Hixon on Wellingtons. He crewed up with an Australian pilot who knew his aunt. They went to 1656 Heavy Conversion Unit at RAF Lindholme to…

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PMacdonaldK1703.pdf
Ken had been in the Air Training Corps and enlisted in the Royal Australian Air Force in 1942. He went to No. 2 Initial Training School at Bradfield Park and then to Marborough where he chose to be a wireless operator/air gunner. They flew on Wackett…

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AHicksDK151103.mp3
Ken sat the RAF aircraft apprentice exam because of his father. He passed and went, aged 16, to RAF Halton. The three-year course was condensed into two because of the war. He describes his training and the aircraft on which he worked. After he…

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ABarfootWE151208.mp3
Bill Barfoot was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. On joining the Air Force, he trained as a wireless operator but re-mustered as aircrew. He trained as a navigator in South Africa, and flew operations with 296 Squadron, supplying the French and Norwegian…

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MHattersleyCR40699-160506-030001.pdf
A service diary written by Peter Hattersley covering the period from November 1930 to 24 September 1948.Initially he served in the Royal Engineers but in February 1936 he joined the RAF. It covers his training and operations including a newspaper…

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LHattersleyCR40699v1.pdf
Pilot's log book for Wing Commander Peter Hattersley, covering the period 10 April 1937 to 24 September 1948. It details his flying training, operations flown and other flying duties. He was stationed at Hanworth Park, RAF Reading, RAF Netheravon,…

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SChattertonJ159568v10172.jpg
Map showing east Kent and French coast from Calais to Ailly. Annotated 'N-154826'.

SChattertonJ159568v10648.jpg
Signal indicating bomb jettison areas agreed with Royal Navy. On the reverse some calculations.

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LGodfreyCR1281391v10001.pdf
Observer's and air gunner's flying log book for Pilot Officer Godfrey from 3 of February 1941 to 25 of September 1945 detailing training schedule, instructional duties and operations flown. Aircraft flown were Dominie, Proctor, Wellington, Hampden,…

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ABowkerD151117.mp3
David Bowker joined the Air Force, originally training to be a wireless operator/air gunner but re-mustered as a pilot. He discusses rudder lock on early versions of Halifax. Jacqueline Bowker, his wife, discusses her life during the war and being…

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PBrettDT1501.jpg
Dennis was born in 1924 and joined the Royal Air Force in November 1942. He trained as a flight mechanic, airframe, at RAF Locking and was responsible for the whole of the aircraft, apart from the engines and the guns. Dennis explained the emergency…

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LClydeSmithD39856v2.pdf
Pilot's flying log book for Denis Clyde-Smith covering the period from 10 May 1937 to 31 May 1942. Detailing his flying training, Operations and instructor duties. He was stationed at RAF Sywell, RAF Sealand, RAF Henlow, RAF Calshot, RAF Watchet, RAF…

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MClydeSmithD39856-160919-04.pdf
Histories of twelve Tiger Moth aircraft flown by Denis Clyde Smith while undergoing ab-initio training at Sywell.

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PDunnG1501.BMP
George was born at Whitstable and was 17 when war was declared. He joined the local Defence Volunteers, which became the Home Guard. When he reached 18 he volunteered for air crew. He was interviewed at Chatham and sat an exam and selection board to…

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AMannA160130.mp3
Alan Mann was born in Lewisham, London and left school aged 14 to begin an engineering apprenticeship at RAF Kidbrooke and with de Havilland. He describes being bombed and what it was like in the workshops. After the war he had a career with de…

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PBrittainJT1724.jpg
Front quarter view of starboard side of a Tiger Moth on the ground. A man wearing side cap is visible in rear cockpit. On the reverse 'Moths, Biggin'.

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PBrittainJT1726.jpg
Four spitfires parked on dispersal. A fifth aircraft is parked behind with no propeller. In the background buildings. On the reverse 'Spits, Biggin Hill'

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ABondsJA180702.mp3
John Bonds was brought up in London and remembers bombs dropping nearby. He joined the RAF as an engine mechanic and, after training, worked on Spitfires before being posted to bombers. He was injured in a hangar accident and spent some time in…

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PLaphamR15020007.jpg
Three men wearing jacket and tie and three women wearing overcoats and hats, standing in front of a biplane. In the background hangars and other people. On the reverse 'Lympne 1925, Roy, Col: The Master of Sempill, Mrs Semphill, Mary, Mrs Hinkler, Mr…

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LWhittleGG1397166v1.pdf
Observers and air gunners flying log book for Geoffrey Whittle, navigator, covering the period from 4 November 1942 to 26 July 1953. Detailing his flying training, instructor duties and post war flying. He was stationed at RAF West Freugh, RAF…

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BCopusPJCopusPJv.pdf
Account of Jim Copus's last operation to Frankfurt during which his 97 Squadron Lancaster was shot down by a Me 110 night fighter. Includes the task of air gunners, the engagement by the night fighter which disabled all hydraulics including those to…

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ADellowJA170617.mp3
James ‘Jim’ Albert Dellow had to register the start of the war he as he was 18 years old. On being asked which service he would prefer, he opted for the Royal Air Force as a pilot. Whilst waiting for his call up, he worked in an insurance office…

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